CLUB PARADISE WAS LIT
It's Friday night, just before midnight. I have to work brunch, but figure fuck it, I'm only young once. The third installation of Club Paradise, the party-brand love child of Topman press dude Abi Grafals and DJ Scott Vernet is going down.
Abi and I go way back, though it's been years since we've actually spoken. Still, pics from the last edition of CP would imply that a pretty serious lituation took place. Furthermore, I've managed to convince two of my co-workers that after eight full hours of hot hot pizza lfye, city adventures need to be had. Accordingly, we down our shift drinks and call a cab.
"So what's this place exactly?" Mike asks as the SUV pulls up to the corner of East 5th St.
"A Party?" I offer back a little unsure. Like it matters. We're already there.
Born out of the desire to "create a place where we didn't have to stand around waiting for one song we liked to come on every half hour of so," Club Paradise is more than just a party. The event takes place at The Elvis Guesthouse, a basement bungalow tucked into the crevices of Alphabet City. While open to the public most nights, Paradise is a private event, RSVP only, crowd curated to create an intimate space where art deco meets Springbreakers.
The place is packed with a mix of art kids and hoodlums, a combination that somehow makes me feel right at home. We mingle and grab drinks from the bartender who is both incredibly friendly and good looking. Drinks are reasonably priced and (unlike other nights at the Guesthouse) service is super prompt. Beyond the bar the small dancefloor is complete with a disco ball and an elevated VIP-esque area to the left.
The energy is palpable as Vernet insights a hip-hop mosh pit using an epic combination of trap bangers and classic throwbacks. Grafals hypes the crowd from the ledge of previously mentioned VIP section, before leaping down onto the dirty white tile to join the motion below. Lights flash and fog fills the room. Glasses shatter and shirts seem optional as sweat and raw energy take over.
Just when it seems the night has peaked, up and coming rapper, Rome Fortune arrives to reinstate the party. He's a close friend of the hosts and his new album Jerome Raheem Fortune dropped that same day. Having had the pleasure of seeing him open for Glass Animals in 2014 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, I can say with certain, I'm a fan. Regardless of whether you know every word or are hearing the track for the first time, Fortune has a vivacity about his swagger that immerses audiences across the board.
Without a doubt, a trip well worth the while.
Check out more from Club Paradise here and be sure to stay tuned for 004.
